Ken Calvert defeats Young Kim in tightly contested SoCal congressional race

Rep. Ken Calvert has won California’s 40th Congressional District, defeating fellow Republican Rep. Young Kim in a closely watched congressional race.

The Associated Press declared Calvert the winner at 6:31 p.m. Monday.

The GOP battle came after California voters approved a Democratic redistricting plan that linked parts of their districts into a single congressional seat, setting up a contest between two incumbent Republicans.

Calvert and Kim fought over their MAGA bona fides and loyalty to the president.

Calvert had declared victory two days after election night.

“Election officials are still counting ballots, but the outcome of this race is clear. We won, and I could not be more grateful,” Calvert’s statement issued last week said in part.

Kim issued a statement Monday evening, congratulating Calvert on his victory and criticizing the redistricting plan.

“It is unfortunate that Gavin Newsom’s political redistricting scheme forced two Republican members of Congress into this race,” Kim’s statement said.

Calvert is the longest-serving Republican in California’s House delegation.

The congressional district includes parts of Orange County and the Inland Empire.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.